Malaria remains a major travel-medicine and tropical-medicine concern across sub-Saharan Africa, much of South and Southeast Asia, parts of Central and South America, and selected Pacific destinations. The MedsBase Malaria Tablets catalogue stocks the agents used for chemoprophylaxis (prevention before / during / after travel to endemic areas), acute treatment, and radical cure of relapsing species. All products are supplied by WHO-GMP gecertificeerde fabrikanten.
Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine — for chloroquine-sensitive areas and selected non-malaria indications. Chloroquine remains effective in the few remaining chloroquine-sensitive areas (parts of Central America west and north of the Panama Canal, Hispaniola, Middle East). Stocked as Lariago (250 mg) and Lariago DS. Hydroxychloroquine is also catalogued for autoimmune indications (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome) — stocked as HCQS, Hqcheal, Hyquin, Hqtor, en Rtqs 200. Important: most modern malaria-endemic regions have widespread chloroquine resistance — chloroquine is NOT appropriate prophylaxis for sub-Saharan Africa, India, Southeast Asia, or Amazon regions.
Mefloquine — weekly chemoprophylaxis for many resistant areas. Mefloquine 250 mg taken once weekly starting 2–3 weeks before travel and continuing for 4 weeks after return. Effective in most chloroquine-resistant areas. Stocked as Mefque. Side-effect concerns: vivid dreams, mood change, anxiety, depression, rare neuropsychiatric reactions — contraindicated in patients with history of depression, anxiety disorder, psychosis, seizures, or cardiac conduction abnormalities. Test the first dose 3 weeks before departure to identify intolerance.
Doxycycline — daily chemoprophylaxis for most resistant areas. Doxycycline 100 mg daily started 1–2 days before entering the malaria area and continuing for 4 weeks after return. The most-affordable modern prophylaxis option, also covering leptospirosis and rickettsial diseases prevalent in some destinations. We stock doxycycline tablets and capsules in our Antibiotica catalogue. Side-effects: photosensitivity (use SPF 50+ sun protection), oesophagitis (take with full glass of water, remain upright for 30 minutes), GI upset. Avoid in pregnancy and children under 8.
Primaquine — radical cure for vivax and ovale relapsing malaria. Primaquine eradicates dormant liver-stage hypnozoites of P. vivax and P. ovale, preventing relapses weeks to months after initial treatment. Stocked as Primaquine. Mandatory G6PD testing before use — primaquine causes severe haemolytic anaemia in G6PD-deficient patients (≈ 5% of African / Mediterranean / Asian populations). Take with food to reduce GI upset.
Quinine — for severe and chloroquine-resistant disease. Quinine 300 mg remains in selected use for chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum (combined with doxycycline or clindamycin) and as IV therapy for severe malaria. Stocked as Quinin 300. Side-effects: cinchonism (tinnitus, headache, nausea), hypoglycaemia (dose-dependent), QT prolongation. Modern WHO guidance prefers IV artesunate over IV quinine for severe malaria where artesunate is available.
What’s NOT here — important. Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) is the most-tolerated modern prophylaxis (start 1–2 days before, continue 7 days after; minimal side-effects) but is not currently in our catalogue — speak to a travel-medicine clinic for a Malarone prescription where it is your preferred option. Artemisinin-combination therapies (ACTs) such as artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem) and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for acute treatment are also not in our routine stock.
How to choose for prophylaxis. Trip duration, destination resistance pattern, side-effect tolerance, and contraindications all matter. Authoritative destination-specific guidance is at CDC Yellow Book en fitfortravel.nhs.uk. Short trips to minimal-resistance areas — chloroquine acceptable. Most modern destinations — doxycycline daily (if no photosensitivity / pregnancy concern) or mefloquine weekly (if no neuropsychiatric history). Pregnancy or doxycycline-intolerance — mefloquine is the preferred option after pre-travel test dose.
Belangrijk. No prophylaxis is 100% effective. Use mosquito-bite prevention (DEET / picaridin / IR3535 repellent, permethrin-treated clothing, insecticide-impregnated bed nets, evening sleeve cover) regardless of chemoprophylaxis choice. Any febrile illness within 1 year of travel to a malaria-endemic area warrants urgent thick-and-thin blood film — malaria can be rapidly fatal if untreated. Severe malaria (impaired consciousness, jaundice, hypoglycaemia, severe anaemia, respiratory distress) is a hospital emergency requiring IV artesunate and supportive care.
All MedsBase Malaria Tablets ship from WHO-GMP gecertificeerde fabrikanten met discrete verpakking en vallen onder onze Reshipment Assurance Policy.